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Ticketmaster CEO Responds To The Boss

Posted on Wednesday February 4, 2009 at 06:07 PM 8 |

Bruce Springsteen posted an open letter on his Web site today criticizing Ticketmaster for how the ticket service handled his initial onsales earlier this week. Now, Irving Azoff, CEO of Ticketmaster Entertainment, responds.

An Open Letter of Apology to Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau and the entire Springsteen Tour Team:

While we were genuinely trying to do the right thing for fans in providing more choices when the tickets they requested from the primary on-sale were not available, we clearly missed the mark. Fans are confused and angry, which is the opposite of what we hoped to accomplish. We sincerely apologize to Bruce, his organization and, above all, his fans.

We recognize that we need to change our course. We have committed to Bruce and state publicly here that we have taken down all links for Bruce's shows directing fans from Ticketmaster to TicketsNow. This redirection only occurred as a choice when we could not satisfy fans' specific search request for primary ticket inventory, but to make sure there is no misunderstanding in the future, we also publicly state that we will never again link to TicketsNow in a manner that can possibly create any confusion during a high-demand on-sale. Specifically, we will not present an option to go to TicketsNow from Ticketmaster without the consent of the artist and the venue, both of whom work together to bring the joy of live entertainment to millions of fans.

If any fans inadvertently purchased tickets in the resale marketplace believing in error they were purchasing from the initial on-sale, we will refund the difference between the actual purchase price and the face price of the ticket. (Please don't abuse this good faith gesture - we did not give brokers any preferential access to tickets.)

We are committed to helping deliver the most transparent and best live entertainment experience to fans. We will do better going forward.

Sincerely,

Irving Azoff, CEO, Ticketmaster Entertainment


http://www.pollstar.com/blogs/news/arch ... 46941.aspx

a1aara wrote:Specifically, we will not present an option to go to TicketsNow from Ticketmaster without the consent of the artist and the venue, both of whom work together to bring the joy of live entertainment to millions of fans.

Here's hoping JB's people are paying attention. If I get redirected to TicketsNow, I'm going to be P*SSED.

IIRC, Azoff was Jimmy's manager for a while, many long years ago. Apparently, he's somewhat of a predator and far from the easiest person in the Universe to get along with. Figured he'd end up in charge of Ticketmaster.

Allow me to read between the lines:




An Open Letter of Apology to Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau and the entire Springsteen Tour Team:
(and the lawyers lining up to come after us)

While we were genuinely trying to do the right thing for fans (ie: anally rape) in providing more choices when the tickets they requested from the primary on-sale were not available (because we already allotted them to TicketsNOW!), we clearly missed the mark (you caught us). Fans are confused and angry (which we are pretty used to honestly), which is the opposite of what we hoped to accomplish (Namely, you forking over tons of money to us). We sincerely apologize to Bruce, his organization and, above all, his fans (who happen to apparently be lawyers.. who knew??).

We recognize that we need to change our course (READ: Congressional Hearings) . We have committed to Bruce and state publicly here that we have taken down all links for Bruce's shows directing fans from Ticketmaster to TicketsNow (Where you can, incidentally, get all the best seats to the best shows ever! I repeat, that's TicketsNow.com everyone!). This redirection only occurred as a choice when we could not satisfy fans' specific search request for primary ticket inventory (Or have I not mentioned that yet?), but to make sure there is no misunderstanding in the future, we also publicly state that we will never again link to TicketsNow in a manner that can possibly create any confusion during a high-demand on-sale (You simply wont be able to get the best seats unless you go there). Specifically, we will not present an option to go to TicketsNow from Ticketmaster without the consent of the artist and the venue However we WILL be buying adspace on our own site. We're so sly), both of whom work together to bring the joy of live entertainment to millions of fans.(A feeling that is strange and alien to our Ticketmaster species)

If any fans (Millionaires) inadvertently purchased tickets in the resale marketplace believing in error they were purchasing from the initial on-sale, we will refund the difference between the actual purchase price and the face price of the ticket. (Minus whatever fees we invent)(Please don't abuse this good faith gesture (Like we abuse you) - we did not give brokers any preferential access to tickets.)
(WE MEANS IT FOR REALS THIS TIME!!)

We are committed to helping deliver the most transparent and best live entertainment experience to fans (With the highest bank balances). We will do better going forward.
(In covering our tracks)

Sincerely,(Whatever that means)

Irving Azoff, CEO, Ticketmaster Entertainment

nice read, ST

They ought to get rained on the same way we're finally bringing the hammer down on Wall St.
Can you say "service charge cap"?

Lightning Bolt wrote:nice read, ST

They ought to get rained on the same way we're finally bringing the hammer down on Wall St.
Can you say "service charge cap"?

Heh.. thanks!


Actually I think the capitalist in me would initially be against a service charge cap. But on second thought they are the only game in town for most concerts and can charge what they want. Hmmm...

Either way, this underhanded dealing they had with their scalper site re-direct was terrible.

See what happens when someone speaks up? It doesn't always have to be someone with pull like Bruce, if you're loud enough. It will be interesting to see what happens this weekend. I'm still puzzled over the fact that Tampa is on both ticket sites

funny how he didn't address how so many tickets instantly showed up on ticketsnow.com

Sanjuro's tequila wrote:Allow me to read between the lines:

Great job!

Who'd they think they were kidding? I guess they were willing to push the envelope.

ScarletB wrote:See what happens when someone speaks up? It doesn't always have to be someone with pull like Bruce, if you're loud enough. It will be interesting to see what happens this weekend. I'm still puzzled over the fact that Tampa is on both ticket sites

I ran across this while I was practicing last weekend. It's NOT really on both sites. Live Nation was so hammered last weekend I though I'd try through Ticketmaster, since one show (one of the NC shows, I think) was listed on both sites. THE LINK DOESN'T GO TO TICKETMASTER. IT TAKES YOU STRAIGHT TO TICKETSNOW.

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:funny how he didn't address how so many tickets instantly showed up on ticketsnow.com

Well, there was this:

If any fans inadvertently purchased tickets in the resale marketplace believing in error they were purchasing from the initial on-sale, we will refund the difference between the actual purchase price and the face price of the ticket. (Please don't abuse this good faith gesture - we did not give brokers any preferential access to tickets.)

As Colonel Potter used to say, "HORSE HOCKEY!!"

Yeah, right, they got no preferential access..... B***S***.....

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:

ScarletB wrote:See what happens when someone speaks up? It doesn't always have to be someone with pull like Bruce, if you're loud enough. It will be interesting to see what happens this weekend. I'm still puzzled over the fact that Tampa is on both ticket sites

I ran across this while I was practicing last weekend. It's NOT really on both sites. Live Nation was so hammered last weekend I though I'd try through Ticketmaster, since once show (one of the NC shows, I think) was listed on both sites. THE LINK DOESN'T GO TO TICKETMASTER. IT TAKES YOU STRAIGHT TO TICKETSNOW.

I know I tried that too and got the same thing although when I tried Ticketmaster just to see what's happening yesterday, it just gave me a normal ticket selection. I don't plan on wasting time on TM on Saturday. What a mess.

ScarletB wrote:

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:

ScarletB wrote:See what happens when someone speaks up? It doesn't always have to be someone with pull like Bruce, if you're loud enough. It will be interesting to see what happens this weekend. I'm still puzzled over the fact that Tampa is on both ticket sites

I ran across this while I was practicing last weekend. It's NOT really on both sites. Live Nation was so hammered last weekend I though I'd try through Ticketmaster, since once show (one of the NC shows, I think) was listed on both sites. THE LINK DOESN'T GO TO TICKETMASTER. IT TAKES YOU STRAIGHT TO TICKETSNOW.

I know I tried that too and got the same thing although when I tried Ticketmaster just to see what's happening yesterday, it just gave me a normal ticket selection. I don't plan on wasting time on TM on Saturday. What a mess.

Unless they already put a merger into effect, or Live Nation realized they couldn't handle the load and fell back on ticketmaster....

A mess..... you got THAT right!

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:

ScarletB wrote:

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:

ScarletB wrote:See what happens when someone speaks up? It doesn't always have to be someone with pull like Bruce, if you're loud enough. It will be interesting to see what happens this weekend. I'm still puzzled over the fact that Tampa is on both ticket sites

I ran across this while I was practicing last weekend. It's NOT really on both sites. Live Nation was so hammered last weekend I though I'd try through Ticketmaster, since once show (one of the NC shows, I think) was listed on both sites. THE LINK DOESN'T GO TO TICKETMASTER. IT TAKES YOU STRAIGHT TO TICKETSNOW.

I know I tried that too and got the same thing although when I tried Ticketmaster just to see what's happening yesterday, it just gave me a normal ticket selection. I don't plan on wasting time on TM on Saturday. What a mess.

Unless they already put a merger into effect, or Live Nation realized they couldn't handle the load and fell back on ticketmaster....

A mess..... you got THAT right!

I know - if you read UpstateNYPH's post ( there are so many related ones I don't remember where it is) he suggested we email LN because HE was told for one show that Ticketmaster is carrying the tickets for it and another post somewhere said that as of this afternoon LN didn't even KNOW.
I sent an email for what it's worth and I guess I'll open 2 windows on Saturday one for TM and one for LN. So far GW is only listed on LN thank goodness.

He doesn't say that they're gonna stop skimming the cream (the best tix) off the top, he just says that they won't re-direct you to where you can buy them . . .

SchoolGirlHeart wrote:

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:funny how he didn't address how so many tickets instantly showed up on ticketsnow.com

Well, there was this:

If any fans inadvertently purchased tickets in the resale marketplace believing in error they were purchasing from the initial on-sale, we will refund the difference between the actual purchase price and the face price of the ticket. (Please don't abuse this good faith gesture - we did not give brokers any preferential access to tickets.)

As Colonel Potter used to say, "HORSE HOCKEY!!"

Yeah, right, they got no preferential access..... B***S***.....

dammm. If I knew that, I would've bought those 3 seats 1st row, center stage.

St,you are so right, praying things go better this weekend. We were shut out on Bruce tix

SeattleParrotHead wrote:He doesn't say that they're gonna stop skimming the cream (the best tix) off the top, he just says that they won't re-direct you to where you can buy them . . .

So this may not necessarily be a good thing.....